Back in 2019, the Japan Foundation, Manila's announced the rebranding of its beloved, long running film festival Eiga Sai into the simply titled Japanese Film Festival that was set to make its grand debut in mid-2020. But the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on on-site events everywhere and the JFF had to make do with online editions in 2020 (excepting a couple of outdoor screenings) and 2022, as well as a short encore run in 2021.
Finally, everything is set for the Japanese Film Festival 2023 to return to the big screen with a selection of 10 films headlined by the animated feature Belle (竜とそばかすの姫). Directed by Hosoda Mamoru, this film made a splash when it received a 14-minute standing ovation during its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival back in 2021.
Other films in this year's lineup include And So the Baton is Passed (そして、バトンは渡された) by Maeda Tetsu, Anime Supremacy! (ハケンアニメ！) by Kohei Yoshino, Blue (ブルー) by Yoshida Keisuke, Blue Thermal (ブルーサーマル) by Tachibana Masaki, Every Day a Good Day (日日是好日) by Tatsushi Omori, In the Wake (護られなかった者たちへ) by Takahisa Zeze, Intolerance (空白) by Yoshida Keisuke, Inu-Oh (犬王) by Yuasa Masaaki, and Lesson in Murder (死刑にいたる病) by Shiraishi Kazuya.
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Show Suzuki, JFM Director Ben Suzuki, Shang Properties EVP Joy Polloso,
and JFM Deputy Director Yojiro Tanaka |
The first wave of screenings will be from January 21, 2023 up to February 3, 2023 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall's Red Carpet. Film buffs outside Metro Manila can catch the films at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and SM City Davao on January 27-31, 2023. Other screening venues include the FDCP Cinematheques in Manila, Negros Iloilo, Davao, and Nabunturan on January 28-29, 2023. The JFF wraps up at the UP Cine Adarna on February 17-22, 2023
Here are the details of the films at the Japanese Film Festival 2023.
And So the Baton is Passed/そして、バトンは渡された (2021)
Director: Maeda Tetsu
Cast: Nagano Mei, Ishihara Satomi
Miitan was raised by her stepmother Rika, and Yuko lives with her gourmand stepfather. The relationships in their families are completely different but conceal a huge secret …
This drama intertwines the process of Yuko and Miitan’s maturation with mysterious Rika’s story to deliver a deeply moving denouement. The story is based on a bestseller that won the grand prize selected by Japan’s booksellers. Nagano Mei (Yuko) and Ishihara Satomi (Rika) are among Japan’s most popular actresses.
Anime Supremacy!/ハケンアニメ！(2022)
Director: Kohei Yoshino
Cast: Riho Yoshioka, Tomoya Nakamura
Hitomi switched careers to join an animation production company, where she spends years working her way up the ladder and finally gets to direct an anime series. However, she has to win the cooperation of stubborn craftsman-like staff to create an anime to her satisfaction. Moreover, the producer is focused on the bottom line and cuts no slack for newbie Hitomi. Plus, her anime occupies the same time slot as the hotly anticipated new anime from Chiharu, a revered genius director. Hitomi feels crushed by the pressure, but the seemingly confident Chiharu also feels the weight of everyone’s expectations.
Belle/竜とそばかすの姫 (2021)
Director: Hosoda Mamoru
Cast: Nakamura Kaho, Satoh Takeru
Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.
Blue/ブルー (2021)
Director: Yoshida Keisuke
Cast: Matsuyama Kenichi, Kimura Fumino, Emoto Tokio
Urita has a profound love of boxing but lacks talent. Kazuki is his underling who has a shot at the title match, and Chika is Urita’s childhood friend who dates Kazuki. Their emotions remain hidden away as the big fight approaches…
This drama uses the unforgiving sport of boxing to cast a kind gaze on human life that has no clear winner. Yoshida Keisuke’s splendid direction exudes emotions that are kept hidden, and audiences will undoubtedly be profoundly moved by Urita’s emotional state as portrayed by the famed young actor Matsuyama Kenichi.
Blue Thermal/ブルーサーマル (2022)
Director: Tachibana Masaki
Cast: Hotta Mayu, Enoki Junya, Shimazaki Nobunaga
College student Tamaki unexpectedly becomes enthralled by competitive gliding and displays surprising talent. Can she lead her university to victory in the upcoming competition? And will her relationship with the upperclassman she admires move forward?
This coming-of-age animation portrays college students enthralled by the world of gliding and ascension. Audiences relates to the heroine as she matures while struggling with relationships. Notable for visuals saturated with beauty and openness that enable viewers to share with the protagonists the thrills and pleasures of flying.
Every Day a Good Day/日日是好日 (2018)
Director: Tatsushi Omori
Cast: Haru Kuroki, Kilin Kiki, Mikako Tabe
Nearing the end of university, Noriko is not having much luck finding either herself or a job when her mother suddenly suggests she study tea ceremony. Noriko is cool to the idea, but her cousin Michiko likes it and suggests they both go. Nearby lives Mrs. Takeda, a tea ceremony teacher who, as people say, is not ‘your ordinary old lady.’
In the following years Noriko drifts from job to job, loses a boyfriend and then her father. The only constant in her life is the tea ceremony, in whose tightly prescribed movements and rhythms she eventually finds a unique sense of freedom.
In the Wake/護られなかった者たちへ (2021)
Director: Takahisa Zeze
Cast: Satoh Takeru, Abe Hiroshi
Nine years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, grisly murders occur in the urban area of Miyagi Prefecture, where victims are tied up and left to starve. The victims all had reputations for being good men, men of integrity. Seiichiro Tomashino (Abe Hiroshi), from the First Investigation Division of Miyagi Prefectural Police, uncovers common ground between the two murders. Meanwhile, Yasuhisa Tone (Satoh Takeru), surfaces as a suspect in the investigation. Tone, who had been serving time for committing arson and assault while trying to help out a friend, was a model prisoner who had just been released. While police are unable to find conclusive evidence to implicate him, a third murder occurs.
Intolerance/空白 (2021)
Director: Yoshida Keisuke
Cast: Furuta Arata, Matsuzaka Tori
A junior high school student is suspected of shoplifting and flees the store, but she gets hit by a car and dies. Her short-tempered father is outraged and terrorizes the school and grocery store manager. Soon everyone involved in the accident is pushed to the edge…
The film captivates viewers with surprising plot developments and intricate portrayals of the behavior and psychology of people caught in extreme situations. This unusual drama deals with questions of absolution and spiritual restitution. Popular stage actor Furuta Arata and leading young actor Matsuzaka Tori deliver credible performances.
Inu-Oh/犬王 (2021)
Director: Yuasa Masaaki
Cast: Avu-chan, Mirai Moriyama, Tasuku Emoto
Traditional musicians used songs to pass down the tale of the warfare that once divided Japan. In the 14th century those songs become fated for censorship when the government puts their official history in order. Blind musician Tomona has a fateful encounter with Inu-oh, the dancer with unique physical characteristics, and they electrify the populace with their radically new music and dance.
This animation uses bold concepts and beautiful visuals to portray the birth of a traditional Japanese performing art. Director Yuasa Masaaki conceived of the medieval hero entertainers as rock stars and is himself one of Japan’s leading artists.
Lesson in Murder/死刑にいたる病 (2022)
Director: Shiraishi Kazuya
Cast: Abe Sadawo, Okada Kenshi
A serial killer acknowledges his crimes but says one of the murders was not his own and asks a young man to investigate. For him, the man was a kindly figure…
In this shocking thriller, a young man who can’t turn a blind eye on a killer uncovers even bigger riddles. Abe Sadawo portrays the murderous fiend with versatility that spans comedy to serious drama. Okada Kenshi is a rising star. Director Shiraishi Kazuya is acclaimed for his unflinching portrayals of emotional darkness.
Here is the JFF 2023 screening schedule at Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
January 21, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Lesson in Murder
January 22, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Blue Thermal
January 23 ,2023
1:00 PM Intolerance
4:00 PM Belle
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
January 24, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM In the Wake
January 25, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM Intolerance
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Belle
January 26, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Blue
January 27, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM Intolerance
January 28, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Belle
January 29, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM And so the Baton is Passed
January 30, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
January 31, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM Belle
February 1, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Lesson in Murder
February 2, 2023
1:00 PM Lesson in Murder
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
February 3, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Every Day is a Good Day
9:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
The JFF 2023 will also feature a side event, a workshop on Wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweets, inspired by one of the films included in the festival namely Every Day a Good Day.
The workshops, facilitated by wagashi master Momoko Takai, will be held over two days. On January 21, 2023, a nerikiri workshop will have two sessions, at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, at the Shangri-La Plaza Atrium. Interested participants can register for limited slots over at the Japanese Film Festival website. Observers who want to see the workshops are still welcome. On January 22, 2023, 11:30 AM, an online daifuku workshop will be streamed over at the JFM Instagram Live page.
